Machine for feeding cans to labeling machines



5 Sheetsl-Sheet l Dec. 24, 1940. '.1. H. MosLEY Erm.

MACH-INE FOR FEEDING CANS TO LABELING MACHINES Filed Oct. 10, 1938 Dec. 24, 1940. J. H. MosLEY E-rAL 2,226,058

MACHINE FOR FEEDING CANS TO LABELING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed o'ct.-1o, 195s Dec. 24, 1940. J. H. MOSLEY ETAL 2,226,068

MACHINE FOR FEEDING CANS To LABELING MACHINES Filed Oct. 10. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 @y M TA/E//v ATTORNEYS www,

Dec. 24, 1940. J, H, MOSLEY TAL 2,226,068

MACHINE FOR'FEEDING CANS TO LABELING MACHINES` WF/K ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 24, 1940 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE Fon FEEDING cANs To LAEmNG MACHINES John H. Mosley and Malcolm McFaull, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignors to Standard-Knapp Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 10, 1938, Serial No. 234,114

13 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to machines for feeding, handling or transferring cans, and more particularly to machines for feeding cans to labeling machines.

In plants where vegetables, fruit and other food products are packed in cans, the cans, after filling, are usually transferred to a suitable apparatus where the contents are subjected to a cooking operation by submergence in boiling water, or a cooking solution maintained at the desired temperaturaor other processing operation. A convenient way of handling the cans for this treatment is to place them upright in trays usually made of metal and circular or rectangular in shape and adapted to hold several hundred cans.

After the treatment operation, draining of the cooking solution and cooling, the cans go to the labeling machine. The problem is to get the cans out of the trays and arranged in a single line for the labeling machine at the rate of speed at which the labeling machine operates, which may be as high as 1,000 cans per minute. The object of the present invention is to provide a machine ior accomplishing this, and which preferably will deliver the cans at a sulcient elevation above the floor to enable them to be conveyed to the labeling machine by gravity.

This involves the inverting of these trays for the purpose of removing the cans from them, and because of the fact that the trays hold several hundred cans and have a gross weight of several hundred pounds, the trays are diicult to turn over, and the invention is also directed to the provision of a safe, convenient Kand semi-automatic apparatus for inverting these trays while loaded with cans, and for facilitating the removal of the trays from the inverted cans.

The invention will be understood from a consderation of the accompanying-drawings which illustrate the invention by way of example. In these drawings:

Fig. l is a more or less diagrammatic view in side elevation of the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in plan;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partially in side elevation and partially in section on broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2 of the inverting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 looking from the opposite side of themachine and taken on broken line d-fi of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 5 5 of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical transverse section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

(Cl. B14-1.1)

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal central section taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 2 showing a tray of cans received within the inverting mechanism and a previous tray of cans which has just been simultaneously discharged therefrom;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 of a modification;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a somewhat diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 showing a further modification; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the parts of a two-revolution clutch in different positions from those shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to these drawings, the apparatus is supported upon an elongated framework constructed preferably of steel. The trays of cans are placed one at a time on a receiving table i at the right hand end oi the machine, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and T and the trays are advanced by hand into a tray-receiving compartment 2 of an inverting mechanism indicated generally by reference numeral 3. A tray d filled with upright cans 5 is shown in Fig. '7 inthis compartment ready to be inverted. Simultaneously with the entrance of tray f3 into compartment 2, a preceding tray of cans t, l is discharged, or ejected, from a second tray-receiving compartment B onto a can-separating and conveying table indicated generally by reference numeral il, and which comprises a conveying table section iii and a can-separating and converging section i i. From this section the cans are discharged onto a centrifugal disc l2 from which they are discharged one at a time into a can chute I3 which conveys the cans to the labeling machine. Preferably a cantwisting device i4 is arranged to turn the cans from upright position to horizontal position so that they may roll on their sides by gravity along a trough i5 to the labeling machine.

The rotating framework IB of the inverting mechanism which contains the two tray-receiving compartments 2 and 8 rotates in the direction shown by the arrows in the several iigures, being supported upon a shaft Il. It is to be noted that not only does the inverter simultaneously receive and discharge trays of cans but that it also elevates them from the level of the receiving table i to the level of the discharge table 9. The labeling machine is usually on the same floor of the building as the apparatus of the invention, and sometimes it is convenient to place them so that the cans have a considerable distance to travel along the trough I5 before reaching the labeling machine. In order to feed the cans at the speed desired, it would often require a steeper gradient than could be obtained if the cans were discharged from the can-feeding apparatus at the level of the receiving table I, for example. Moreover, the can-separating and converging table 9 and the centrifugal disc I2 must necessarily be substantially horizontal. The inverting mechanism 3 hence cooperates with the can-separating and converging table 9 and the centrifugal de vice I2 in delivering the cans at a suillcient elevation above the floor so that they can be conveyed by gravity to the labeling machine.

Considering the various elements of the cantransferring and feeding machine of our invention, the receiving table I is a roller table comprising a series of rollers I8 mounted for free rotation in frame side members I8 which are inclined slightly toward the left so as to assist the operators of the machine in moving the trays into the inverting mechanism 3. It will be understood that in the forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-7, inclusive, and 10, that the trays of cans are deposited on the receiving table I by the hoist of an overhead conveyor, or by other suitable means, which conveys the cans from the previous treatment operation.

The inverting mechanism 3 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3-7, inclusive, and II. The rotating framework I6 is built up of steel structural material, the principal members of which are two channel members 20 and 2| which extend along each side of the framework. These are mounted upon and secured to shaft I1 by means of two flanged members 22 which are bolted to the outsides of channels 20 and 2|, respectively, and keyed to the shaft as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5.

Mounted between and near the opposite ends of the two channel members 20 and 2| are two belt rolls 23 and 24 and between them is stretched a wide belt 25. The sides, or reaches, of this belt each form one of the walls of the two tray-andcan-receiving compartments 2 and 8, and this belt, as the framework I6 rotates from the receiving to the discharge position, receives and supports the cansn inverted position and discharges them from framework I6, and for this reason is positively driven as will be described later on.

Both sides of belt 25 are supported by a series of suitably spaced rollers 26 which are journalled between the channel members 20 and 2|.

The outer walls of the two tray-receiving compartments 2 and 8 are formed by a series of rollers 21 and 28, respectively. Rollers 21 are mounted for free rotation between two angle bars 29 and 38 which form part of the framework I6 and are fixed in parallel, spaced relation with the lower flanges of channel members 20 and 2|. Angle bar 29 is held in position by two short channel sections 3| and 32 (see Fig. 3). The ends of these channel sections are firmly welded to the lower flange of channel member 20 and to the horizontal flange of angle bar 29. The opposite angle bar 30 is similarly mounted upon the lower flange of channel member 2| by means of two short angle sections 33.

The upper series of rollers 28 is similarly mounted between a pair of angle bars 34 which are secured in like manner to the upper flanges of channel members 20 and 2| by short channel sections 35. In order to brace the two side frames of framework I6 laterally and at the same time form stops for the trays as they enter the tray compartments. two heavy angle bars 36 and 31 are arranged to extend crosswise of the frame and are welded at their ends to the short angle sections 3I--33 and 35. These cross angle members 31 also support substantially the entire weight of the tray of cans which is being inverted during the time the framework I6 is in a more or less vertical position. Additional cross members for strengthening purposes are provided in bars 38 which are also welded to the short channel sections 3I-33 and 35.

An adjustable take-up roll 39 is mounted between channel members 20 and 2| for the purpose of taking up the stretch of belt 25.

The shaft I1 which supports framework I6 is carried in journals 40 and 4I appropriately mounted in the machine frame (see Fig. 5), one end of this shaft extending outside of journal 40 and having a sprocket 42 mounted upon it by means of which the frame I6 is rotated whenever it is desired to invert a tray of cans within it.

It will be understood that in inverting a tray of cans framework I6 is rotated through an angle of or in other words, one-half of a complete revolution. During this time the tray of cans which is received within whichever of compartments 2 or 8 happens to be in the lower position, is gradually turned upside down, and during this movement the tops of the cans come to rest upon the surface of belt 25, the tray resting upside down on the inverted cans. In order to cause belt 25 to eject, or discharge, the cans from the framework I6, provision must be made for driving the belt. The mechanism for driving this belt 25 and -for imparting and controlling the rotation of framework I6 will now be described.

Power is supplied for this work by means of a motor 43 which is belt connected by means of the belt 44 and suitable pulleys to a speed-reducing gearing 45. On the slow speed or output shaft 46 of this gear box there is a sprocket 41 which, through a chain 48 and another sprocket 4S, drives a main operating shaft 50 which extends crosswise of the machine from one side to the other. Shaft 50 rotates continuously so long as power is supplied'to motor 43. Fixed to this shaft and also rotating continuously there is a star wheel 5| forming part of a two-revolution clutch and also sprockets 52 and 53.

Because of the rotation of frame I6 it is necessary to drive belt 25 by means rotating concentrically with theaxis of supporting shaft I1. This is accomplished by means of two sprockets 54 and 55 which are secured to a. common hub that rotates freely on shaft I1 (Fig. 5). This sprocket assembly is driven by means of a chain 56 passing over sprocket 52 on shaft 50 and sprocket 55. A chain 51 from sprocket 54-to a sprocket 58 on the shaft of roll 23 which supports one end of belt 25 serves to drive this belt.

The description of the driving mechanism for turning framework I6 starts with the clutch member 59 forming with star wheel 5| the principal parts of the two-revolution clutch previously mentioned. Member 59 is loosely mounted on main shaft 58 alongside of the star wheel 5I which is keyed to the shaft and rotates continuously. Member 59 has two arms 60 and 6I and a hub carrying sprockets 62 and 63. Arm 60 has a dog 64 pivoted thereto which is adapted to engage the teeth of star wheel 50 to cause clutch member 59 to rotate with it. This dog is biased towards such engagement by means of a helical spring 65 and is normally held out of engagement by a roller on the tail portion 66 of the dog engaging an arcuate lever 61 which will be more fully described presently. Sprocket 62 on the hub of clutch member 59 is, by means of a chain 68, connected with sprocket 42 on supporting shaft I1 of the framework I6. The relative sizes of these sprockets is such that for each two revolutions of clutch member 59 the framework I6 is rotated through onehalf a revolution, or 180. Hence two revolutions of the clutch member are required to produce each tray inverting operation. The other sprocket 63 on the hub of clutch member 59 is connected by means of a chain 69 to a sprocket which drives a clutch control shaft 1I, this shaft being arranged to make one complete revolution for each two revolutions of clutch member 59. Chain 68 is provided with two idler sprockets 12 and 13 both of which are adjustable to keep the chain taut and also to adjust the angular position of framework I6 with respect to the clutch member 59.

In order to stop the framework I6 in horizontal position' after the completion of an inverting movement, a movable stop or latch lever 14 is provided on the side of the machine adjacent the two-revolution clutch 5I, 59. This latch lever is fixed to, and projects upwardly from, a short shaft to the outer end of which an operating handle lever 16 (Figs. 5 and 3) is attached. Adjustable stops 11 and 18 are provided at each end of framework I6, as shown in Fig. 3, in proper position to engage stop lever 14, and by appropriate adjustment of these stops the framework I6 will always come to rest accurately in position.

Also fixed to shaft 15, on which the stop lever 14 is mounted, is a short arm 18 which controls the two-revolution clutch 5I, 59. This is accomplished by rocking the arcuate lever 61 previously referred to so as to cause Vit to release the tail 66 of dog 64 and allow the dog to engage the teeth of the star wheel 5I or driving member of the ltwo-revolution clutch. For this purpose arcuate lever 61 is mounted upon a rock shaft 19, and arm 18 is arranged to rock this shaft 19 by means of a link 88 having a slot and pin connection 8l, 82 with an arm 83 which is pinned to shaft 19.

When the handle 16 is moved to start an inverting movement of framework I6, latch lever 14 is flrst released from whichever of stops 11 or 18 happens to be in engagement with it. Continued motion of the handle brings the top of slot 8I into contact with pin 82 and rocks shaft 83, thereby swinging arcuate lever 61 to the left, as shown in Fig. 3 and releasing the dog 64 and causing engagement of the clutch. Inasmuch as the clutch member 59 always stops with the roller of the tail 66 of the dog in contact with-the extreme end of arcuate lever 61, this roller passes from beneath the arcuate lever as soon as rotation of clutch member 59`commences. The release of handle 16 by the operator therefore causes arcuate lever 61 and the handle to return to their original positions. The lever is moved under the action of a biasing spring 84 and the handle by a biasing spring 85. Pin 82 on arms 83 returns to approximately the center of slot 8|.

The engagement of the clutch 5I, 59 causes the framework I6 to commence an inverting movement, rotating in the counterclockwise direction, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3. In order to cause clutch member 59 to make two revolutions, thereby completing the inverting movement of the framework I6, provision is made for automatically preventing the release of the clutch on the first revolution of clutch member 59, and causing its release on the second revolution.

In order to do this, arcuate lever 61 is moved to the left (see Fig. l1) out of the path of the roller on tail 66 of the dog before this roller is carried around on the rst revolution of clutch member 59 far enough forit to come into engagement with the upper end of arcuate lever 61. This movement of arcuate lever 61 is effected by means of a cam 86 on control shaft 1I which engages a roller 81 on an arm 68 which is pinned to rock shaft 19. The length of slot BI permits this rocking of shaft 'I9 to take place without shifting stop 14 out of its position. The contour of cam 86 is such as to cause arcuate lever 61 to return to its normal position under the action of spring 84 as soon as the first revolution of clutch member 59 is completed, thereby placing arcuate lever 61 in position tostop the rotation of clutch member 59 on its next revolution.

On account of the momentum of the rotating framework I6 and its heavy load of cans, it is essential to release dog 64 from star wheel clutch member 5I prior to the completion of the inverting movement, and let framework I6 coast to cornpletion of this movement, at which point it will be stopped by the latch lever 14. This accounts for the length of arcuate member 61, which is made long enough to engage the tail 66 and throw out the dog 64 after the completion of about of the second revolution of clutch member 59 (see Fig. 11). Then as the framework I6 coasts into .position against stop 14, the tail 66 will move along the arcuate surface of lever 61 into the position shown in Fig. 3. Rebounding of the framework I6 from stop 14 is prevented by means of a latch 89 which falls behind the outer end of arm 6I on clutch member 59 substantially simultaneously with the engagement of latch lever 14. It would be disastrous if a second inverting movement should be commenced before the discharge of the cans was completed, and to prevent this a guard cam 90 (Figs. 11 and 3) is provided on control shaft 1I in the same vertical plane as cam 86 and so positioned as to engage the outer side of roller 81 on arm 88 and thus prevent the accidental release of the latch lever 14 and actuation of clutch 5I, 59 by handle 16 (Fig. 5) during approximately the last half revolution of clutch member 59, or during the last approximately 45 of movement of the framework I6. This guard cam 90, however, releases roller 81 at about the same time that the framework I6 comes into engagement with latch lever 14 at the end of the inverting movement.

In order to absorb the momentum of the frame I6 and its load of cans during the coasting period, and prevent damage to the latch 14, a brake mechanism 9 I, illustrated in Fig. 6, is provided. A metal brake block 92 faced with appropriate friction material 93 is yieldably mounted in position to be engaged by either one vof two shoes 94 or 95 which are carried by the framework I6. This brake block 92 is provided with two parallel -supporting rods 96 which pass loosely through holes in a part of the machine frame and are provided with helical springs 91 for urging the blocks 92 into engagement with the brake shoes 94 and collars 98 for limiting the movement of the block under the action of these springs.

The can conveying and separating tabl'e 9 (Figs. 1 and 2) onto which the cans are discharged from the inverting mechanism 3 comprises a conveying table section III and a can-separating and converging section I I. Both of these sections include wide endless belts of the same width as the belt 25 of the inverting mechanism and arranged horizontally at substantially the same level as the upper side of belt 25, that is to say, the side of this belt which supports the cans after they have been inverted. The conveying belt for conveying section I0 is indicated by reference numeral 99 and passes around a driving roll |00 at the left hand end, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and a roll |0| at the right hand end adjacent the inverting mechanism. A takeup roll |02 adjustably mounted, as indicated in Fig. 4, for taking up the slack is provided. Belt 99 is driven through roll |00 on whose shaft there is a sprocket |03 shown in Fig. 1 which is driven by a chain |04 passing over sprocket 53 on main operating shaft 50 as best shown in Fig. 5. The upper side or reach of belt 99 on which the cans rest is supported by a series of rollers |05 which are journalled on the side frame members of the apparatus.

The can-separating section of table 9, which is indicated generally by reference numeral l cornprises an endless belt |06 which is supported at its ends between two rollers |01 and |08 journalled in the machine frame, and which maintain the upper side of the belt in line with belt 99. An adjustable take-up roll |09 is also provided for this belt, and the upper side of the belt is supported in the same manner as belt 99, namely, by means of a series of rollers H0.

The centrifugal device at the left-hand end of can-separating section comprises a rotatable horizontal' disc I2 having a stationary circular guard i|| substantially surrounding it, but provided with an entrance i2 through which the cans are received over a. scuff plate ||3 from the belt |00. Guard |l| is also provided with an exit ||4 which is just wide enough to receive one can at a time. At this exit a deecting plate H5 is provided for deecting the cans which have been thrown to the periphery of rotating disc |2 into the exit ||4 and the chute i3.

A separate motor IIB is provided for driving belt |06, of the can-separating section and the centrifugal disc I2. The drive is by means of a belt |1 to a reducing gear box |8 and by means of chains ||9 and |20. These chains are driven from sprockets on the slow speed shaft of the reducing gear box I8. Chain i9 drives the vertical shaft |2| of centrifugal disc |2 through suitable beveled gearing |22. Chain |20 drives belt |06 through roll |01 by means of a sprocket mounted upon one end of the shaft on which this roll is carried.

The cans, as they l'eave belt 25 of the inverting mechanism 3, pass over a scuff plate |23 onto belt 99, and as they leave this belt they pass over another scuff plate |24 onto belt |06. While on belt |06 the cans are brought together, or converged, by means of guide rails |25 which slope from the outer sides of belt |06 toward the center of this belt and join with the ends of the circular guard for the centrifugal disc |2. at the front edge of scuff plate ||3 and the mouth ||2.

Two operators are required to operate this apparatus. One .of them stands on either side of the machine. A tray of cans is shoved into the receiving compartment 2 from the receiving table and then the operator on the front side of the machine moves handle lever 16 to the l'eft. as viewed in Fig. 3 or to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, thereby causing the inverting mechanism to make half a revolution and invert this tray of cans. 'I'he operators then push a second tray of cans along table into receiving compartment 8 which is now on the bottom. While this is being done, the first tray of cans is being ejected from compartment 2, which is now on top, over scu plate |23, and onto belt 99 of conveying table section |0. As soon as these cans are clear of the inverter, the two operators standing on opposite sides of the machine lift off the inverted tray 1 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and place it upon a suitable conveyor (not shown) to return to the prior treatment operation. The operator then again moves handle lever 16, thus inverting the second tray of cans.

The drive mechanisms for the belts 99 and |06 of the can conveying and separating table 9 are so arranged that belt 99 operates at substantially the same linear speed as ejecting belt 25 of the inverting mechanism 3 operates during the ejection of the cans. Belt |06 of the can-separating section of table 9, however, operates at a higher linear speed than belt 99. Hence as the cans move onto belt |06 over scuif plate |24 they are given an increase in speed and thereby separated from one another a sufcient amount to permit the cans to be shifted together laterally by the converging guides |25 so that they can be delivered to the rotating disc |2 which is necessarily smaller in diameter than the width of belt |06.

It is desirable to reduce to as low a point as possible the amount of slippage between the bottoms of the cans being inverted while they are in Contact with discharge belt 25. To accomplish this the driving mechanism for this belt, previously described in connection with Fig. 4, is arranged to ymove belt 25 continuously at a speed corresponding to the speed of rotation of the inverter; that is to say, the angular velocity of the belt rolls 23 and 24 is substantially the same as the angular velocity of shaft |1 during an inverting movement. The direction of the circuit of the belt around the belt rolls also corresponds to the direction of rotation of the inverter. Hence, during the rotation of the inverter the belt is substantially motionless with respect to the cans in contact with it. However, at the instant the rotation of the inverter is interrupted by latch lever 14, belt 25 commences to carry the cans forward over scuff plate |23 and out of the inverter. This arrangement not only saves wear on belt 25, but also makes for speed in the ejection of the cans. f

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings, there is here shown a modification of our apparatus which provides for automatic feed of the lled trays of cans into the inverter as well as the automatic discharge of the inverted cans therefrom. The rotary framework |6a is constructed exactly like framework |6 previously described except that it is provided with two pairs of semi-circular rails |26 and |21, one pair opposite tray-receiving compartment 2a and the other opposite tray-receiving compartment 8s. The trays are fed successively one against another along any suitable conveying device such, for example, as a roller table |28, which is inclined sufficiently to cause the trays to be fed along the same by gravity toward the inverting mechanism 3s, and which is provided with side rails |29 to direct the trays into the receiving compartments ofthe inverter.

'I'he trays are of uniform dimensions so that when a tray of cans has been received within one of the compartments, 2a, for example, with its forward end against stop 36a, its rear end will be flush with the surfaces of rails |26 and |21. Hence when the rotation of the inverting mechanism commences, rails |21, for example, will come into engagement with the foremost tray of the line of oncoming trays of cans and hold it back until tray-receiving compartment 8a comes into alinement with the receiving table |28.

The further modification of our apparatus shown in Fig. 10 is intended for an extremely high speed of operation. When the cans are pushed over scu plate |24 from the slower speed belt 99 onto the higher speed belt |06 of the apparatus previously described, the cans are jerked forward by belt |06 to accelerate them to the higher speed, but there is necessarily some slippage between the bottoms of the cans and the belt. As the speed of operation is increased, it is necessary to increase the difference in speed between belts |04 and |06V to such a point that this slippage interferes with the proper separation of the cans. In Fig. 10 the increase Ain the speed of the cans for delivery to the centrifugal device is made in two steps.

Instead of employing a single beit |06 for the can-separating section of the conveying and separating table 9s, two belts 30 and |3| are employed, and the converging guide rails |258 extend over both of these belts. Belt |30 is driven at a somewhat higher speed than belt 99a, and belt |3| at a higher speed than belt |30 so that the cans delivered to the centrifugal disc |2s are moving at a velocity which is high enough for them to be accelerated by disc |2s at the higher speed of operation of this disc which is necessary for the higher rate of the can delivery.

By the apparatus of our invention we have provided for the rapid handling of cans from cooking, or other treatment operation, to a can-labeling machine so that the output of a high speed labeling machine is not reduced by the inability of the can handling apparatus heretofore available for rearranging and delivering the cans to the labeler. This, moreover, is accomplished without damage to the cans by denting, scarring, or otherwise. Also the apparatus is safe for the operators to use and is of such construction that it cannot be readily abused.

It will be understood that the drawings and above description constitutemerely an exemplifying disclosure of our invention and that changes can be made in the construction of the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, said framework having two parallel tray compartments and an endless conveyor the opposite sides of which serve each as one of the walls of said compartments, said conveyor supporting the tray load and tray after inverting, means for rotating the framework, and means for driving said conveyor to eject the inverted tray load and tray.

2. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, two tray compartments each open at one end only and arranged in opposite directions and in parallel relation on opposite sides of the axis of rotation, when the framework is in stationary horizontal position the compartment above the axis being in receiving position and the compartment below the axis in discharge position, an endless conveyor having one side forming the ceiling of the compartment in the receiving position and having its other side forming the door for the compartment in the discharge position, means -for rotating the framework, and means for driving said conveyor to eject trays from the upper compartment.

3. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, said framework having two parallel tray compartments, an endless conveyor between them the opposite sides of which serve each as one of the walls of about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating the framework to invert the loaded tray comprising a continuously rotating shaft, and means for operatively connecting said shaft and said framework to rotate the same including a limited-revolution clutch adapted to be thrown out of engagement after sufficient rotation of said continuously rotating shaft to rotate the framework for an inverting operation, manually operated means for engaging said clutch, and mechanically actuated means for disengaging the clutch after said predetermined rotation, and means for preventing reengagement of the clutch during the final portion of the inverting movement of the frame but permitting re-engagement at the end of the inverting movement.

5. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework for receiving a loaded tray, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating the framework to invert the loaded tray comprising a continuously rotating shaft, and means for operatively connecting said shaft and said framework to rotate the same including a limited-revolution clutch adapted to be thrown out of engagement after sufficient rotation of said continuously rotating shaft to rotate the framework for an inverting operation, a releasable stop mechanism for stopping the framework at the end of each inverting operation, manually operated means for successively releasing the stop mechanism and engaging said clutch, and mechanically actuated means for disengaging said clutch after said predetermined rotation.

6. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework for receiving a loaded tray, means for supporting the same forrotation about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating the framework to invert the loaded tray comprising a continuously rotating shaft, and means for operatively connecting said shaft and said framework to rotate the same including a limited-revolution clutch adapted to be thrown out of engagement after sufficient rotation of said continuously rotating shaft to rotate the framework for an inverting operation, a releasable stop mechanism for stopping the framework at theV end of each inverting operation, manually operated means for successively releasing the stop mechanism and engaging said clutch, mechanically actuated means for disengaging said clutch after said predetermined rotation, and means for permitting said stop mechanism to return to its normal position upon release of said manually operated means.

7. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework for receiving a loaded tray, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating the framework to invert the loaded tray comprising a continuously rotating shaft, and means for operatively connecting said shaft and said framework to rotate the same including a limited-revoment after sufficient rotation of said continuously rotating shaft to rotate the framework for an inverting operation, releasable stop mechanism for arresting the movement of the framework at the end of the inverting operation, mechanically operated means for releasing said stop and engaging said clutch the release of which permits the stop to return to its normal position, mechanically operated means for disengaging the clutch prior to the completion of the inverting operation, and brake mechanism for retarding the motion of the framework after the clutch is disengaged and before the stop mechanism is re-engaged by said framework. l5 8. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework for receiving a loaded tray, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating the framework to invert the loaded tray comprising a continuously rotating shaft, and means for operatively connecting said shaft and said framework to rotate the same including a limited-revolution clutch adapted to be thrown out of engagement after suicent rotation of said continuously rotating shaft to rotate the framework for an inverting operation, said clutch including a star wheel on the continuously rotating shaft and a clutch member along-side of said wheel having a dog pivoted thereto and biased for engagement with the teeth thereof, an arcuate arm pivoted to swing in and out of the path of rotation of the tail of said dog, and means for actuating said pivoted arm to engage and disengage the clutch, the length of said arcuate arm permitting the framework to coast for a predetermined angular distance after disengagement of the clutch without causing the clutch to be re-eng'aged.

9. In an apparatus'for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework for receiving a loaded tray, 40 a horizontal shaft for supporting the framework,

means for rotating the framework to invert the loaded tray comprising a continuously rotating shaft, a limited revolution clutch having driving and driven members, the driving member thereof 45 being secured to said shaft and said driven member operatively connected to the shaft of the rotatable framework by means of a chain passing over sprockets on said respective shafts, a clutch control member, stop mechanism for stopping the 50 framework at the end of the inverting operation, and a pair of take-up devices one engaging each side of said chain for adjusting the angular position of the driven member of said clutch with respect to the angular position of the framework 55 to cause said driven member to come to rest at the desired position with respect to said clutch control member.

10. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a framework, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, said framework having two parallel tray compartments and an endless conveyor the opposite sides of which exltend operatively into said compartments, said conveyor, after an inverting operation, being in operative relation to the tray load to move the same, means for rotating the framework, and means for driving said conveyor to eject the inverted tray load and tray.

11. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a framework, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis, said framework having two parallel tray compartments and an endless conveyor the opposite sides of which extend operatively into said compartments, said conveyor, after an inverting operation, being in operative relation to the tray load to move the same, means for rotating the framework, and means for driving said conveyor to eject the inverted tray load and tray, said conveyor, before an inverting operation permitting the entry of a tray into one of said compartments independently of the motion of the conveyor.

l2. In an apparatus for inverting loaded trays, a rotatable framework, means for supporting the same for rotation about a horizontal axis said framework having two parallel tray compartments, an endless conveyor between them, the opposite sides of which extend operatively into said compartments, means for rotating the framework, and means for continuously driving the conveyor in the same direction as the rotation of the framework and at such a speed when the framework is stationary that when the framework is rotating the conveyor remains substantially stationary with respect to the framework.

13. In an apparatus for inverting articles, a rotatable framework having an article-receiving compartment, means for supporting the framework for rotation about a horizontal axis, means for rotating the framework, a conveyor carried by and rotatable with the framework and operating continuously in a direction to eject articles from the compartment, the articles being received in the compartment out of engagement with the conveyor and being placed in engagement therewith during the rotation of the framework, and means for stopping the rotation of the framework upon completion of the inversion of the articles therein to permit said conveyor to eject the inverted articles.

JOHN H. MOSLEY. MALCOLM MCFAULL. 

